COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Marion County commissioners consider funding for behavioral health housing

The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets Wednesday to consider accepting state funding for housing assistance and residential treatment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

AGENDA

The $6.31 million contract with the Oregon Health Authority would include purchasing and operating a home for a behavioral health licensed residential program, and spans through June 2023, according to the agenda item.

It would also include funding for a rental assistance program, hotel vouchers for short-term shelter and hiring new employees, such as a full-time behavioral health nurse to help serve older residents.

Commissioners will also consider accepting about $1.45 million in federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant program, given to local and state governments for programs that provide services like housing assistance and social services.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the funding for the Boys & Girls Club and Soaring Heights Recovery Homes, as well as disaster recovery and administrative costs, the agenda item said.

The board will consider accepting another $639,000 from the department for affordable housing, which would include funding for Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley as well as down payment assistance.

Meeting details: The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Senator Hearing Room at 555 Court Street N.E. Anyone can sign up to give public comment in-person at the meeting. The meeting is streamed live on YouTube

Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.

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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.